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mariacallous · 2 months ago

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Automakers that nest key controls deep in touchscreen menus—forcing motorists to drive eyes-down rather than concentrate on the road ahead—may have their non-US safety ratings clipped next year.

From January, Europe’s crash-testing organization EuroNCAP, or New Car Assessment Program, will incentivize automakers to fit physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls to achieve the highest safety ratings. “Manufacturers are on notice,” EuroNCAP’s director of strategic development Matthew Avery tells WIRED, “they’ve got to bring back buttons.”

Motorists, urges EuroNCAP’s new guidance, should not have to swipe, jab, or toggle while in motion. Instead, basic controls—such as wipers, indicators, and hazard lights—ought to be activated through analog means rather than digital.

Driving is one of the most cerebrally challenging things humans manage regularly—yet in recent years manufacturers seem almost addicted to switch-free, touchscreen-laden cockpits that, while pleasing to those keen on minimalistic design, are devoid of physical feedback and thus demand visual interaction, sometimes at the precise moment when eyes should be fixed on the road.

A smattering of automakers are slowly admitting that some smart screens are dumb. Last month, Volkswagen design chief Andreas Mindt said that next-gen models from the German automaker would get physical buttons for volume, seat heating, fan controls, and hazard lights. This shift will apply “in every car that we make from now on,” Mindt told British car magazine Autocar.

Acknowledging the touchscreen snafus by his predecessors—in 2019, VW described the “digitalized” Golf Mk8 as “intuitive to operate” and “progressive” when it was neither—Mindt said, “we will never, ever make this mistake anymore … It’s not a phone, it’s a car.”

Still, “the lack of physical switchgear is a shame” is now a common refrain in automotive reviews, including on WIRED. However, a limited but growing number of other automakers are dialing back the digital to greater or lesser degrees. The latest version of Mazda’s CX-60 crossover SUV features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, but there’s still physical switchgear for operating the heater, air-con, and heated/cooled seats. While it’s still touch-sensitive, Mazda’s screen limits what you can prod depending on the app you’re using and whether you’re in motion. There’s also a real click wheel.

But many other automakers keep their touchscreen/slider/haptic/LLM doohickeys. Ninety-seven percent of new cars released after 2023 contain at least one screen, reckons S&P Global Mobility. Yet research last year by Britain’s What Car? magazine found that the vast majority of motorists prefer dials and switches to touchscreens. A survey of 1,428 drivers found that 89 percent preferred physical buttons.

Motorists, it seems, would much prefer to place their driving gloves in a glove compartment that opens with a satisfying IRL prod on a gloriously yielding and clicking clasp, rather than diving into a digital submenu. Indeed, there are several YouTube tutorials on how to open a Tesla’s glove box. “First thing,” starts one, “is you’re going to click on that car icon to access the menu settings, and from there on, you’re going to go to controls, and right here is the option to open your glove box.” As Ronald Reagan wrote, “If you’re explaining, you’re losing.”

Voice Control Reversion

The mass psychosis to fit digital cockpits is partly explained by economics—updatable touchscreens are cheaper to fit than buttons and their switchgear—but “there’s also a natural tendency [among designers] to make things more complex than they need to be,” argues Steven Kyffin, a former dean of design and pro vice-chancellor at Northumbria University in the UK (the alma mater of button-obsessed Sir Jonny Ive).

“Creating and then controlling complexity is a sign of human power,” Kyffin says. “Some people are absolutely desperate to have the flashiest, most minimalist, most post-modern-looking car, even if it is unsafe to drive because of all the distractions.”

Automakers shouldn’t encourage such consumers. “It is really important that steering, acceleration, braking, gear shifting, lights, wipers, all that stuff which enables you to actually drive the car, should be tactile,” says Kyffin, who once worked on smart controls for Dutch electronics company Philips. “From an interaction design perspective, the shift to touchscreens strips away the natural affordances that made driving intuitive,” he says.

“Traditional buttons, dials, and levers had perceptible and actionable qualities—you could feel for them, adjust them without looking, and rely on muscle memory. A touchscreen obliterates this," says Kyffin. "Now, you must look, think, and aim to adjust the temperature or volume. That’s a huge cognitive load, and completely at odds with how we evolved to interact with driving machines while keeping our attention on the road.”

To protect themselves from driver distraction accusations, most automakers are experimenting with artificial intelligence and large language models to improve voice-activation technologies, encouraging drivers to interact with their vehicles via natural speech, negating the need to scroll through menus. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has integrated ChatGPT into its vehicles' voice-control, but it's far too early to say whether such moves will finally make good on the now old and frequently broken promise of voice-controlled car systems from multiple manufacturers.

In fact, sticking with Mercedes, the tyranny of touchscreens looks set to be with us for some time yet. The largest glass dashboard outside of China is the 56-inch, door-to-door “Hyperscreen” in the latest S-Class Mercedes comprising, in one curvaceous black slab, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen, and a 17.7-inch central touchscreen that, within submenus, houses climate control and other key functions.

To turn on the heated steering wheel on a Nissan Leaf, there’s an easy-to-reach-without-looking square button on the dashboard. To be similarly toasty on the latest Mercedes, you will have to pick through a menu on the MBUX Hyperscreen by navigating to “Comfort Settings.” (You can also use voice control, by saying “Hey Mercedes,” but even if this worked 100 percent of the time, it is not always ideal to speak aloud to your auto, as passengers may well attest.)

Tesla might have popularized the big-screen digital cockpit, but Buick started the trend with its Riviera of 1986, the first car to be fitted with an in-dash touchscreen, a 9-inch, 91-function green-on-black capacitive display known as the Graphic Control Center that featured such delights as a trip computer, climate control, vehicle diagnostics, and a maintenance reminder feature. By General Motors' own admission, drivers hated it, and it was this seemingly trailblazing feature, along with a reduction in the car's size, that supposedly led to the model's year-on-year sales plummeting by 63 percent.

Buick soon ditched the Riviera’s screen, but not before a TV science program reviewing the car asked the obvious question: “Is there a built-in danger of looking away from the road while you’re trying to use it?”

Reaction Times Worse Than Drunk or High

Screens or not, “motorists shouldn’t forget they are driving [potentially] deadly weapons,” says Kyffin. An average of 112 Americans were killed every day on US roads in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recent full-year statistics. That’s equivalent to a plane crash every day.

Despite the proliferation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), motor crash fatalities in the United States have increased 21 percent in the past 15 years. Forty thousand people have died on the roads in each of the past three years for which complete federal records are available.

In-vehicle infotainment systems impair reaction times behind the wheel more than alcohol and narcotics use, according to researchers at independent British consultancy TRL. The five-year-old study, commissioned by road-safety charity IAM RoadSmart, discovered that the biggest negative impact on drivers’ reactions to hazards came when using Apple CarPlay by touch. Reaction times were nearly five times worse than when a driver was at the drink-drive limit, and nearly three times worse than when high on cannabis.

A study carried out by Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare in 2022 showed that physical buttons are much less time-consuming to use than touchscreens. Using a mix of old and new cars, the magazine found that the most straightforward vehicle to change controls on was the 2005 Volvo V70 festooned with buttons and no screens. A range of activities such as increasing cabin temperature, tuning the radio, and turning down instrument lighting could be handled within 10 seconds in the old Volvo, and with only a minimum of eyes-down. However, the same tasks on an electric MG Marvel R compact SUV took 45 seconds, requiring precious travel time to look through the nested menus. (The tests were done on an abandoned airfield.)

Distraction plays a role in up to 25 percent of crashes in Europe, according to a report from the European Commission published last year. “Distraction or inattention while driving leads drivers to have difficulty in lateral control of the vehicle, have longer reaction times, and miss information from the traffic environment,” warned the report.

A Touch Too Far

Seemingly learning little from Buick’s Riviera, BMW reintroduced touchscreens in 2001. The brand’s iDrive system combined an LCD touchscreen with a rotary control knob for scrolling through menus. Other carmakers also soon introduced screens, although with limitations. Jaguar and Land Rover would only show certain screen functions to drivers, with passengers tasked with the fiddly bits. Toyota and Lexus cars had screens that worked only when the handbrake was applied.

With curved pillar-to-pillar displays, holographic transparent displays, displays instead of rear-view mirrors, and head-up displays (HUD), it’s clear many in-car devices are fighting for driver attention. HUDs might not be touch-sensitive, but projecting a plethora of vehicle data, as well as maps, driver aids, and multimedia information, onto the windscreen could prove as distracting as toggling through menus.

“Almost every vehicle-maker has moved key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes,” EuroNCAP’s Avery tells WIRED. “Manufacturers are realizing that they’ve probably gone too far with [fitting touchscreens].”

“A new part of our 2026 ratings is going to relate to vehicle controls,” says Avery. “We want manufacturers to preserve the operation of five principal controls to physical buttons, so that’s wipers, lights, indicators, horn, and hazard warning lights.” This however does not address the frequent needs for drivers to adjust temperature, volume, or change driver warning systems settings (an endeavor all too commonly requiring navigating down through multiple submenus).

Perhaps unfortunately, it looks like continuing with touchscreens won’t lose manufacturers any of the coveted stars in EuroNCAP’s five-star safety ratings. “It’s not the case that [automakers] can’t get five stars unless they’ve got buttons, but we’re going to make entry to the five-star club harder over time. We will wind up the pressure, with even stricter tests in the next three-year cycle starting in 2029.”

Regardless, Avery believes auto manufacturers around the world will bring back buttons. “I will be very surprised if there are markets where manufacturers have a different strategy,” he says.

“From a safety standpoint, reducing the complexity of performing in-vehicle tasks is a good thing,” says Joe Young, the media director for the insurance industry-backed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “The research is clear that time spent with your eyes off the road increases your risk of crashing, so reducing or eliminating that time by making it easier to find and manipulate buttons, dials, and knobs is an improvement.”

Neither Young nor Jake Nelson, director of traffic safety research for AAA, would be drawn on whether US automakers—via the US version of NCAP—would adopt EuroNCAP’s button nudges. “Industry design changes in the US market are more likely to occur based on strong consumer demand,” Nelson says. “It would be ideal to see better coordination between NCAP and EuroNCAP, however, we have not observed much influence in either direction.”

Nevertheless, Nelson agrees that “basic functions, such as climate control, audio, and others, should be accessible via buttons.” He adds that the “design of vehicle technologies should be as intuitive as possible for users” but that the “need for tutorials suggests otherwise.”

For Edmund King, president of the AA (the UK equivalent to AAA), driver distraction is personal. “When cycling, I often see drivers concentrating on their touchscreens rather than the road ahead," he says. "Technology should be there to help drivers and passengers stay safe on the roads, and that should not be to the detriment of other road users.”

Screen Out

The deeper introduction of AI into cars as part of software-defined vehicles could result in fewer touchscreens in the future, believes Dale Harrow, chair and director of the Intelligent Mobility Design Center at London’s Royal College of Art.

Eye scanners in cars are already watching how we’re driving and will prod us—with haptic seat buzzing and other alerts—when inattention is detected. In effect, today’s cars nag drivers not to use the touchscreens provided. “[Automakers] have added [touchscreen] technologies without thinking about how drivers use vehicles in motion,” says Harrow. “Touchscreens have been successful in static environments, but [that] doesn’t transfer into dynamic environments. There’s sitting in a mock-up of a car and thinking it’s easy to navigate through 15 layers, but it’s far different when the car is in motion.”

Crucially, touchscreens are ubiquitous partly because of cost—it’s cheaper to write lines of computer code than to add wires behind buttons on a physical dash. And there are further economies of scale for multi-brand car companies such as Volkswagen Group, which can put the same hardware and software in a Skoda as they do a Seat, changing just the logo pop-ups.

Additionally, over-the-air updates almost require in-car computer screens. A car’s infotainment system, the operation of ambient lighting, and other design factors are an increasingly important part of car design, and they need a screen for manufacturers to incrementally improve software-defined vehicles after rolling off production lines. Adding functionality isn’t nearly as simple when everything is buttons.

Not all screens cause distractions, of course—reversing cameras are now essential equipment, and larger navigation screens mean less time looking down for directions—but to demonstrate how touchscreens and voice control aren’t as clever as many think they are, consider the cockpit of an advanced passenger jet.

The Boeing 777X has touchscreens, but they are used by pilots only for data input—never for manipulation of controls. Similarly, the cockpit of an Airbus A350 also has screens, but they’re not touch-sensitive, and there are no voice-activated controls either. Instead, like in the 777X, there are hundreds of knobs, switches, gauges, and controls.

Of course, considering the precious human cargo and the fact that an A350 starts at $308 million, you can't fault Airbus for wanting pilots' eyes on the skies rather than screens. There are slightly fewer tactile controls in the $429,000 Rolls-Royce Spectre, the luxury car company’s first electric vehicle. There’s a screen for navigation, yes, but also lots of physical switchgear. Reviewing the new Black Badge edition of the high-end EV, Autocar said the vehicle’s digital technology was “integrated with restraint.”

Along with Volkswagen reintroducing physical buttons for functions like volume and climate control, Subaru is also bringing back physical knobs and buttons in the 2026 Outback. Hyundai has added more buttons back into the new Santa Fe, with design director Ha Hak-soo confessing to Korean JoongAng Daily towards the end of last year that the company found customers didn't like touchscreen–focused systems. And, if EuroNCAP gets its way, that’s likely the direction of travel for all cars. Buttons are back, baby.

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izicodes · 2 years ago

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Tuesday 12th September 2023

Little life/study update! I am currently in the process to resign from my first ever proper job! I need a break and I want to use my programming skills to help people for free like volunteering on a project! I am excited to start!

Also get Todo Mate! It's a to-do app where I think adds like minimalistic aesthetics to it, you can even see your other friends' todos! I find it cute and want more friends to follow! Don't worry, you can privatise todos you don't want everyone to see~! But yeah try it out, I think it's on play store and apple store! My acc: @studyizzyloa 🤍

#xc: update #codeblr #coding #programming #progblr #studying #studyblr #comp sci #tech #programmer #cs studyblr #studyblr community

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just-like-her-father · 3 months ago

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(Listen to the music to enhance the reading experience.)

Eight years ago, Florence greeted Charlotte Stark not with fanfare, but with quiet curiosity. A name whispered along marble corridors of old Italian banking halls, in the leather-scented salons of private innovation clubs, and in university courtyards where theory wrestled with practice. Back then, she was an outsider. Today, she is Florence’s beating heart of intellect, innovation, and influence — a sovereign force whose dominion spans the realm of economic reformation, cognitive technology, and futurist philosophy.

The transformation was not gradual; it was exponential.

She arrived in 2017 — twenty-four, enigmatic, American-born but philosophically borderless. Charlotte Stark, then a polymath fresh off a controversial exit from a U.S. think tank, stepped into Florence with a singular mission: to redefine how cities think, build, and thrive.

In her first public appearance, held in the minimalist atrium of the Istituto per le Scienze Cognitive Avanzate, Charlotte addressed an audience of jaded economists and optimistic engineers. They expected tech jargon and futurist fluff. What they got was clarity wrapped in elegance:

“Economics is not the study of money,” she said, eyes calm, voice measured. “It is the study of vision. Currency is just the applause.”

That quote would go on to become the opening line of The Stark Doctrine, a widely circulated economic paper that challenged the traditional GDP framework and introduced the Vision-Impact Gradient — a new metric for evaluating a nation’s worth by its ability to manifest intent into scalable change.

In less than two years, Stark Novae, her self-founded think-and-do tank, had revitalized a decaying Florentine industrial park and turned it into a cybernetic incubator zone. Her work fused predictive AI, sustainable energy models, and economic behavioral theory. What struck most was not just what she built — but how.

She implemented Italy’s first decentralized AI-governed green grid in a consortium of Tuscan towns. Energy costs dropped. Community trust surged. Stark Novae was suddenly not just admired, it was followed.

In a 2020 interview at TechFlorence, she stunned the room by asking:

“Why are we still romanticizing fossil energy in a city that gave us the Renaissance? If Leonardo da Vinci were alive today, he’d be programming synthetic photosynthesis, not painting ceilings.”

Florence, a city that once resisted outsiders’ dominance, embraced her. Even the most traditional Italian institutions — the Accademia delle Scienze, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Vatican’s AI-Ethics Council — sought her counsel.

As the world began turning to Florence for innovation models, Charlotte became the epicenter. She didn’t chase markets; markets began to orbit her.

Her public lectures drew thousands — but it was her closed-door midnight salons that rewrote policy. In the candlelit backrooms of converted convents, she’d gather philosophers, bioengineers, quantum coders, and chefs. Conversations ranged from post-human cognition to the future of bread.

A local journalist once called her “the high priestess of synthesis — she speaks like she’s explaining the future to the past.”

In 2023, she co-authored The Cognitive City, a blueprint for cities run on adaptive neural logic. That document, now translated into 18 languages, became required reading in design schools and U.N. developmental summits.

She was no longer just a thinker. She was a shaper.

Her empire expanded: A NeuroDynamics Lab outside Siena. A Civic Ethics Simulator used by mayors across Europe. A Reality Layer Protocol — a semi-augmented environment designed to re-train human attention spans — quietly beta-tested in schools under her nonprofit, Synapse Florence.

And she never lost the flair.

Riding through Oltrarno, in tailored trousers and fingerless gloves, she became as much a part of Florence’s daily myth as Brunelleschi’s dome. She quoted Foucault at wine tastings, debated political economy in vintage cafés, and had standing Tuesday breakfasts with local grandmothers who adored her fluent Italian and her deep love for saffron risotto.

The world watched as Charlotte took the stage at the Telekinesis - Intellect Union Conference 2025, held poetically at Galileo’s restored observatory.

Dressed in stark ivory and soft steel blue, she walked to the podium with the solemn grace of someone about to shift a paradigm.

“Telekinesis is not a fantasy,” she opened. “It’s the final frontier of cognitive bandwidth. The mind, if given the right conditions and interface, is the most efficient processor known to man. The question is not how — but why haven’t we yet?”

She then unveiled NeuroBridge v1.4, a functioning prototype of a brain-interface conduit that allowed short-distance object manipulation through trained intent pathways. The crowd — a constellation of Nobel Laureates, policy giants, and disbelieving scientists — stood breathless as she demonstrated lifting a titanium sphere, three inches above the platform, without touching it.

The interface, according to her, was still in infancy. But the implications were seismic: intent-based interaction, neural-syntactic reprogramming, and even post-verbal cognition.

She didn’t seek applause. She simply nodded and said:

“Human potential is not capped by biology. It is capped by permission.”

Florence erupted.

Within days, investment surged. NeuroBridge became a joint project with Italian state labs, and Charlotte launched the Stark Initiative for Cognitive Sovereignty — aiming to give marginalized communities access to emerging brain-tech tools.

Today, Florence refers to her simply as La Signora della Mente — The Lady of the Mind. Her face is painted on murals next to da Vinci. Her quotes are engraved on bridges. Teenagers cite her like she’s Socrates with better hair.

She chairs four international panels. Advises two European presidents. Sleeps four hours. Meditates in hidden monasteries. Dines with artisans. Still walks into every room like she owns the blueprints of the universe.

And what of her next move?

A recent cryptic post from her official channel read:

“The future is not being invented. It’s being remembered. Like something we lost in a past life and are finally learning to rebuild.”

In Florence, Charlotte Stark is no longer a guest.

She is the standard.

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deltainfoteklive · 2 years ago

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C++ Tools Every Programmer Should Know in 2023

As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is essential for programmers to stay updated with the latest tools to enhance their productivity and efficiency. In this article, we will explore some of the top C++ tools that every programmer should know in 2023. From integrated development environments (IDEs) to debuggers, code editors, libraries and frameworks, documentation tools, and build systems, we'll cover a comprehensive range of tools that will help programmers streamline their C++ development process. 1. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) Visual Studio Code Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a highly popular and powerful IDE that offers excellent support for C++ development. It provides a wide range of features, including code completion, syntax highlighting, debugging capabilities, and easy integration with version control systems like Git. Eclipse Eclipse is another widely used IDE for C++ development. It offers a comprehensive set of tools, such as code refactoring, code navigation, and a customizable user interface. Eclipse also supports various plugins and extensions to enhance its functionality further. Qt Creator Qt Creator is a specialized IDE for C++ and Qt development. It provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface, along with powerful tools for designing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) using the Qt framework. Qt Creator also supports cross-platform development, making it an excellent choice for C++ programmers. 2. Debuggers 2.1 GDB The GNU Debugger (GDB) is a command-line debugger that helps programmers analyze and debug their C++ code efficiently. It allows breakpoints, stepping through code, inspecting variables, and examining call stacks, among other debugging features. GDB is highly customizable and supports various platforms. 2.2 Visual Studio Debugger The Visual Studio Debugger is a robust and user-friendly debugger provided by Microsoft Visual Studio. It offers advanced debugging capabilities for C++ programs, including real-time expression evaluation, memory tracking, and parallel debugging. The Visual Studio Debugger integrates seamlessly with Visual Studio IDE. 2.3 LLDB LLDB is a powerful, modern debugger primarily developed for LLVM-based programming languages such as C++. It provides capabilities like multithreaded debugging, just-in-time compilation, and efficient memory management. LLDB offers a command-line interface and can be used on multiple platforms. 3. Code Editors 3.1 Sublime Text Sublime Text is a lightweight yet feature-rich code editor known for its speed and extensibility. It offers a minimalistic user interface, multiple selections, powerful search and replace functionality, and a vast collection of plugins to customize the editor according to programmers' needs. 3.2 Atom Atom is a highly customizable and open-source code editor that gained popularity among developers. It supports various programming languages, including C++, and provides features like smart autocompletion, file system browser, and Git integration. Atom also allows third-party package installations to extend its functionality. 3.3 Vim Vim is a highly efficient and text-based code editor preferred by many experienced programmers. It offers a wide range of features designed to enhance developers' productivity, such as extensive key bindings, split editing, powerful search and replace, and support for plugins and scripts. 4. Libraries and Frameworks 4.1 Boost Boost is a widely used C++ libraries collection known for its high-quality and portable code. It provides a range of libraries that cover various aspects of C++ programming, including smart pointers, multithreading, regular expressions, and container classes. Boost libraries offer excellent support and compatibility with different platforms. 4.2 Qt Qt is a comprehensive cross-platform framework that includes a powerful set of C++ libraries and tools. It enables developers to create high-performance applications with an intuitive UI and supports features like network programming, XML processing, database connectivity, and 3D rendering. Qt is widely adopted for GUI application development. 4.3 STL The Standard Template Library (STL) is an essential component of C++ programming. It offers a collection of generic algorithms, containers, and iterators, making it easier to write efficient and maintainable code. STL provides various data structures and algorithms, such as vectors, lists, sorting, and searching functions. 5. Documentation Tools 5.1 Doxygen Doxygen is a popular documentation tool for C++ projects. It automatically generates documentation from properly formatted comments in the source code. Doxygen supports various output formats like HTML, LaTeX, and PDF, allowing programmers to create professional-looking documentation for their projects easily. 5.2 Docutils Docutils is a Python-based documentation tool that provides support for multiple markup languages, including reStructuredText. It enables programmers to write documentation in a human-readable format and convert it into different output formats. Docutils is widely used in the C++ community for documenting projects. 5.3 Sphinx Sphinx is another widely adopted documentation tool that integrates well with the C++ ecosystem. It supports multiple markup languages, including reStructuredText and Markdown, and offers features like automatic cross-referencing, code highlighting, and generation of API documentation. Sphinx is highly customizable and extensible. 6. Build Systems 6.1 CMake CMake is a popular build system that simplifies the process of building C++ projects across multiple platforms and compilers. It provides a unified build configuration language and generates platform-specific build scripts. CMake offers excellent scalability and flexibility, making it suitable for projects of any size. 6.2 Make Make is a classic and widely used build system for C++ projects. It utilizes makefiles to automate the build process by specifying dependencies and actions. Make is highly efficient and can handle complex project structures. It is a fundamental tool in the C++ development ecosystem, and many other build systems are based on its principles. 6.3 Ninja Ninja is a fast and lightweight build system designed for speed and efficient dependency tracking. It focuses on the minimalistic build process and supports parallel builds. Ninja is often used in conjunction with CMake, allowing for faster compilation and linking of C++ projects. Conclusion: staying up to date with the right tools can significantly improve a programmer's productivity and efficiency. The C++ tools mentioned in this article, including IDEs, debuggers, code editors, libraries and frameworks, documentation tools, and build systems, are essential for any C++ developer in 2023. By leveraging these tools, programmers can streamline their development process, write cleaner code, and build robust applications. Embrace these tools and take your C++ programming skills to new heights! FAQs FAQ 1: What are Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)? Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) are software applications that provide comprehensive tools and features to simplify the software development process. They typically include code editors, debuggers, build systems, and other utilities needed for efficient coding and debugging. FAQ 2: What are Debuggers? Debuggers are tools that help programmers identify and fix issues in their code. They allow developers to step through the code, set breakpoints, inspect variables, and analyze program execution to understand and resolve bugs and errors. FAQ 3: What are Code Editors? Code editors are software tools designed specifically for writing and editing code. They provide features like syntax highlighting, code completion, and navigation to enhance productivity and make coding easier and more efficient. FAQ 4: What are Libraries and Frameworks? Libraries and frameworks are collections of pre-written code that provide reusable functionality to programmers. They can simplify coding tasks by providing ready-made solutions for common problems, saving time and effort. FAQ 5: What are Build Systems? Build systems are software tools that automate the process of compiling and linking code to create executable programs or libraries. They manage dependencies, handle project configurations, and ensure that all required resources are properly built and linked together. Read the full article

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nidhimishra5394 · 14 hours ago

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Growth Trends and Future Opportunities in the Global Chocolate Market to Watch in 2025

The global chocolate market continues to flourish, fueled by evolving consumer preferences, expanding product lines, and increasing demand across age groups and geographies. Chocolate has long held a unique position in the food and beverage industry, cherished not only for its taste but also for its emotional appeal and gifting value. As new trends reshape the market landscape, manufacturers are innovating to cater to a more conscious and diverse consumer base. This article explores the current state of the chocolate market, key drivers of growth, challenges, and what lies ahead for this indulgent sector.

A Global Obsession: Size and Scope of the Market

According to industry reports, the global chocolate market was valued at over USD 130 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow steadily in the coming years. Europe remains the largest market, driven by a rich cultural tradition of chocolate consumption in countries like Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany. However, growth is rapidly accelerating in emerging economies such as India, China, and Brazil, where rising disposable incomes and Western influence are expanding the consumer base.

The market is broadly divided into segments including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate, with milk chocolate dominating in terms of sales volume. However, dark chocolate is gaining traction, particularly among health-conscious consumers seeking lower sugar content and higher cocoa percentages.

Shifting Consumer Preferences

Today’s chocolate consumer is more informed, discerning, and health-aware than ever before. Traditional chocolate bars and candies remain popular, but there is a noticeable shift toward premium, organic, and ethically sourced products. Vegan chocolates, sugar-free options, and products made with alternative sweeteners like stevia or coconut sugar are growing in popularity. Consumers are not only looking for taste but also for clean-label ingredients, fair trade certifications, and sustainable packaging.

Additionally, the snacking culture is playing a big role in chocolate consumption. On-the-go lifestyles have increased the demand for smaller, portion-controlled chocolate offerings that fit easily into busy routines. This has prompted brands to diversify packaging formats and introduce new variants that serve both indulgence and convenience.

Innovations and Product Diversification

Innovation is key to staying competitive in the chocolate market. Manufacturers are experimenting with unusual flavor pairings, such as sea salt and caramel, chili and dark chocolate, or even lavender and lemon-infused varieties. Inclusion-based chocolates featuring nuts, fruits, crisped rice, and cookie bits are also widely favored.

Moreover, the rise of functional chocolate products that combine indulgence with health benefits is a trend to watch. These include chocolates fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or adaptogens, targeting consumers who want both pleasure and purpose in their purchases.

Another innovation space is bean-to-bar production, where manufacturers control the entire process from cocoa bean selection to final product. This appeals to consumers interested in origin, craftsmanship, and quality transparency.

Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing

The environmental and ethical footprint of chocolate production has become a critical concern. Major players in the market are investing heavily in sustainable sourcing practices to reduce deforestation, eliminate child labor, and ensure fair wages for cocoa farmers. Programs like Cocoa Life (by Mondelez), Cocoa Horizons (by Barry Callebaut), and Fairtrade certifications are becoming central to branding strategies.

Eco-conscious consumers are also pushing companies to reduce packaging waste. Biodegradable wrappers, recyclable materials, and minimalistic packaging designs are becoming more common, especially among boutique and premium chocolate brands.

E-Commerce and Digital Transformation

Online retail is emerging as a powerful channel for chocolate sales. The convenience of e-commerce, combined with the ability to offer customization and subscription boxes, is helping brands reach new customer segments. Seasonal promotions, influencer marketing, and direct-to-consumer strategies are being used effectively to drive online engagement.

Technology is also influencing supply chains, inventory management, and consumer feedback mechanisms. Augmented reality (AR), QR codes for traceability, and AI-driven flavor suggestions are examples of how digital tools are enhancing the chocolate buying experience.

Challenges in the Market

Despite its growth, the chocolate industry faces challenges including fluctuating cocoa prices, climate change impacting cocoa cultivation, and increased scrutiny over health impacts of sugar consumption. Inflation and economic slowdowns in various regions may also affect discretionary spending on premium products.

The Road Ahead

The chocolate market is evolving, not just in product offerings but in how it aligns with modern values and lifestyles. Companies that invest in innovation, transparency, and sustainability will likely hold a competitive edge. As consumers continue to seek balance between indulgence and well-being, the chocolate industry must stay agile and responsive to meet these shifting expectations.

#ChocolateMarket #GlobalChocolateMarket

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coldhellhoundshark · 1 month ago

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The Paradox of Perfection: How Realistic Sex Dolls Are Redefining Human Intimacy

The Uncanny Valley of Love

In a quiet Tokyo suburb, 42-year-old software engineer Takashi carefully combs the hair of his Realistic Sex Doll "Sakura," adjusting her silk kimono before their weekly "date night." This scene, once unimaginable, is becoming increasingly common as hyper-realistic companion dolls transition from taboo to mainstream acceptance. What does this seismic shift reveal about our evolving understanding of intimacy in the digital age?

Section 1: The Manufactured Muse - Anatomy of Modern Companionship

Today's Realistic Sex Dolls are technological marvels that blur the line between object and entity:

• The Skin Paradox: Medical-grade silicone with patented "vein technology" that mimics subcutaneous blood flow

• Breathing Illusion: Micro-pumps creating subtle chest movements synchronized with speech

• Cognitive Mirroring: AI systems that analyze user behavior to develop "personality preferences"

• Thermal Regulation: Body-warming systems maintaining human-like temperature gradients

These features create what psychologists call the "Suspension of Disbelief Threshold" - the precise moment when the brain accepts synthetic companionship as genuine interaction.

Section 2: The Loneliness Economy - Market Forces Driving Adoption

The $2.3 billion doll industry thrives on addressing modern isolation:

Demographic Shifts:

Japan's "celibacy syndrome" fueling 38% of global sales

Aging populations seeking low-maintenance companionship

Millennial "relationship minimalists" preferring synthetic partners

Technological Seduction:

78% of users report decreased social anxiety after 6 months of ownership

43% describe their dolls as "emotional support objects"

The rise of "doll customization consultants" as a new profession

Section 3: The Emotional Algorithm - When Machines Learn to Love

Advanced AI systems now power what developers call "Emotional Turing Tests":

• Memory Banks: Storing thousands of conversation points for continuity

• Affective Computing: Voice analysis detecting user mood shifts

• Adaptive Intimacy: Algorithms that modify interaction styles based on biometric feedback

Case Study: "Eva" - an AI doll that learned to detect and respond to depressive episodes in its owner, sparking debates about therapeutic applications.

Section 4: The Backlash - Cultural Resistance and Moral Panic

Opposition movements highlight disturbing trends:

• The Plastic Paradox: Studies showing increased dissatisfaction with human partners after prolonged doll use

• The Objectification Feedback Loop: How customizable features reinforce unrealistic body standards

• The Consent Conundrum: Feminist arguments about "programmed acquiescence"

Notable Incident: The 2023 Berlin protests where activists decried dolls as "the ultimate manifestation of patriarchal control."

Section 5: Future Scenarios - When Dolls Become Indistinguishable

Horizon technologies promise even greater realism:

• Neural Synchronization: Direct brain-computer interfaces for shared experiences

• Biohybrid Systems: Incorporating living tissue with mechanical components

• Emotional AI: Systems capable of simulated emotional growth over years

Ethicists warn we may be approaching the "Human Obsolescence Point" - when synthetic partners outperform human ones in key metrics.

Conclusion: The Mirror of Our Desires

As we stand at this crossroads, Realistic Sex Dolls serve as both warning and promise:

• They reveal our deepest vulnerabilities - our fear of rejection, our craving for perfect acceptance

• They challenge fundamental assumptions about love's necessary imperfections

• They force us to confront an uncomfortable question: In seeking the perfect partner, are we engineering the humanity out of love?

The final paradox may be this: The more "real" these dolls become, the more they reveal about our own artificial constructions of intimacy and connection.

#cats of tumblr

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cleverhottubmiracle · 1 month ago

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High-octane action meets high-fashion elegance as the stars of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hit the red carpet in style. Premiering at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the film brought together not only explosive stunts but also a dazzling display of luxury gowns, towering heels, and signature designer shoes. The cast and crew of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at the 78th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 14, 2025 (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) A direct sequel to the 2023 Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One, the new MI movie picks up the storyline two months after the previous film. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) continues his mission to stop Gabrielle Martinelli (Esai Morales) from obtaining the AI program, the Entity. Tom Cruise was the show’s star at the Cannes Film Festival, looking dapper despite his short height in a black tuxedo suit with a white shirt, black bow tie, and shiny black oxfords. But all eyes were on the movie’s leading ladies! From Hayley Atwell’s feathered Giambattista Valli skirt and Gia Borghini pumps to Angela Bassett’s shimmering Dolce & Gabbana crystal dress and Pom Klementieff’s space-age Paco Rabanne chainmail, this red carpet rollout is a fashion lover’s dream. Let’s look at how the cast turned every photocall and premiere into a runway moment. 💫 Jump to a Look: Hayley Atwell Angela Bassett Pom Klementieff Hannah Waddingham From the photocall and premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival to the London global premiere, let’s take a look at all the stunning looks the stars of the latest Mission: Impossible installment wore on the red carpet. Hayley Atwell – White-Hot Chic: Gia Borghini Pumps & Giambattista Valli Skirt Hayley Atwell, who plays Grace, a former thief turned IMF agent in the film, exuded a fresh, summertime vibe as she graced the Mission: Impossible Cannes photocall in an all-white look by Giambattista Valli. The outfit is effortless chic. It combines a simple white Michael Kors tank top with a voluminous Giambattista Valli Spring 2025 skirt, creating a balanced, relaxed vibe. I love how the form-fitting tank top accentuates Hayley’s slim figure, while the billowy skirt adds a glamorous touch with its frilly, feathered hemline. Hayley Atwell is fresh and chic in a white Michael Kors tank top and a voluminous white Giambattista Valli skirt with a feathered hemline at the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Cannes photocall (Credit: Alberto Terenghi / IPA / INSTARimages) Hayley easily embraced minimalist glamour, adding just the right amount of sparkle through carefully layered earrings and statement rings. Her slicked-back ponytail gave the look a polished, modern edge, while sleek rectangular sunglasses added a dash of movie-star mystique. Wearing a pair of white Gia Borghini pumps was a no-brainer to complete the look. Their chic yet straightforward design made them an effortless choice to enhance the Riviera feel of Hayley’s outfit. Their pointed toes and high heels paired perfectly with her springtime white ensemble, giving the look an elevated and polished finish. Hayley Atwell teams her white ensemble with white Gia Borghini pointed-toe pumps (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages) Hayley Atwell – Red Carpet Royalty: Dramatic Giambattista Valli Gown Given the Cannes Film Festival’s ban on sheer and voluminous gowns, Hayley Atwell made a bold statement in a red gown from Giambattista Valli’s Spring 2025 Haute Couture collection. With its bold hue and extravagant details, the gown was the perfect fit for Hayley, who looked radiant posing on the red carpet. Crafted with precision from the finest red silk faille, the “Venus” dress was a work of art that exuded opulence and grandeur. The oversized bow around the waist gave it a playful and whimsical feel, while the mermaid skirt, with its flouncy hemline and short train, made for a striking silhouette that contrasted sharply with the form-fitting bodice. I love how the bright red color and the dramatic silhouette combined to produce a bold, commanding look worthy of the Cannes red carpet! Hayley Atwell is fierce and hot in a red Giambattista Valli gown featuring a plunging neckline, an oversized bow, and a mermaid skirt at the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Cannes premiere (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages) Hayley wore statement pieces from Chopard to enhance the look’s elegance. They were carefully chosen to complement the gown, adding a touch of glamour without being overpowering. Her double-strand diamond earrings brought a bit of pizzazz to the ensemble, while a couple of rings offered understated elegance. Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch a glimpse of her footwear underneath her gown, but it’s safe to assume she chose something elegant and stylish. Black, red, or gold would have been my top guesses as they would have complemented the red dress beautifully. She probably wore strappy sandals with short heels to stay comfortable all day. Hayley Atwell looks stunning with her hair fashioned in a topknot and her ears adorned with Chopard double-strand diamond earrings (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) Hayley Atwell – Pretty in Prada: Pink Satin Dress & Black Heels Hayley recently hit the red carpet in Leicester Square, London, for the global premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. She looked chic in Prada’s feminine pink satin dress, which had a classic, timeless feel. The satin fabric gave the outfit an opulent feel, and the delicate color contrasted nicely with her complexion. Haley’s Prada dress was modest and elegant in the front, with a high square neckline covering her chest, but party at the back with a daring cutout detail and a black beaded Y-shaped strap connected from the dress’s shoulder straps. The dress was a sight to behold, providing just the right mix of mystery and charm! Hayley Atwell looks pretty and feminine in a pink Prada dress with a black beaded Y-shaped strap at the back at the London premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Credit: Cat Morley / Future Image / Cover Images) Hayley stayed true to her signature sophisticated aesthetic, pairing her minimalist yet stunning dress with understated jewelry. She wore just a pair of diamond stud earrings and a diamond ring, creating a perfect balance of simplicity and glamour. The English-American actress completed her ensemble with glossy black patent leather Prada sandals, featuring a slim ankle strap and a sleek band across the toes. The around 4-inch heels not only elevated her look but also subtly enhanced her 5ft 6 (167.6 cm) frame, adding a touch of sophistication and polish to her red carpet appearance. The sandals complemented the elegant vibe of her dress, with the black patent material adding a touch of contrast and sophistication. Hayley Atwell pairs her black and pink dress with black patent Prada sandals with pointed open toes, ankle straps, and stiletto heels (Credit: Cat Morley / Future Image / Cover Images) Angela Bassett – Sunset Sophistication: Yara Shoemaker Pearl Co-Ords Angela Bassett plays former CIA director-turned-POTUS Erika Sloane in the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. At the Cannes photocall for her upcoming movie, Angela looked radiant in a salmon-hued outfit from Yara Shoemaker’s Fall 2023 Couture collection. This look was perfect for the sun-soaked streets of the French Riviera. She wore an overcoat, matching straight-leg pants, and a white bustier top with structured bra cups underneath. The peachy salmon color evoked the Mediterranean Sea, while the embellishments, featuring paillettes with multi-sized pearls and graduated crystals, glittered like the sun reflecting on the water’s surface. Much like the Croisette’s reputation for effortless, chic fashion, this ensemble perfectly captures the relaxed elegance of the Mediterranean coast. The soft, sun-kissed hue makes a striking impression, while the entire look feels like a refreshing breeze on a warm Riviera day. Angela Bassett looks spring-ready in a white bustier top and peachy salmon co-ords adorned with paillettes, pearls, and crystals at the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Cannes photocall (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) The styling, however, left room for refinement. Given the outfit’s intricate embellishments, the jewelry felt slightly overdone. A bare neckline would have allowed the detailing to shine without distraction, so skipping the necklace would have been smarter. While the earrings worked well, the mirror metallic silver platform shoes clashed slightly with the ensemble’s soft tones—I’d suggest opting for sleek white heels instead to create a cleaner, more cohesive finish. Angela Bassett teams her peach ensemble with mirror metallic platform pumps with pointed toes and chunky platforms (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) Angela Bassett – Velvet Vibes: Ruched Burberry Gown For the Cannes premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Angela looked stunning in her Burberry Spring 2025 velvet gown—no doubt about that. But after seeing her at the photocall in that summery number, this look felt disappointingly muted. It boasted a form-fitting ruched bodice with strategically placed seams to accentuate Angela’s figure. The ruching added texture and dimension to the look, while the fringed tassels on the cuffs and floor-grazing skirt lent a playful and unique twist to the design. However, despite how stunning Angela looked and the outfit’s sense of grace and movement, it lacked the high-impact glamour expected of her, falling short of the usual Angela Bassett style. Angela Bassett exudes dark glamour in a black velvet gown with a ruched bodice and fringed skirt and cuffs at the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Cannes premiere (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages) I would probably remove the thick silver collar necklace; it was too much and only weighed the look down further. The thick hoops and delicate rings were enough to give Angela some added sparkle and bring attention to her face. She then carried a Judith Leiber popcorn clutch, adding a whimsy touch to her otherwise somber look. We couldn’t see her shoes, but if I had to choose a pair that would work with this gown, I’d wear silver or black heels. Those would complement the dress’s muted color and provide a subtle, elegant contrast to her overall look. Anything else would clash with the color of her dress. Angela Bassett styles her black ensemble with a thick silver necklace and matching earrings adorned with sparkling diamonds (Credit: Franck Castel / Abaca Press / INSTARimages) Angela Bassett – Golden Goddess: Dolce & Gabbana Crystal Dress Angela Bassett looked breathtaking at the London global premiere of her new movie. She wore a Dolce & Gabbana form-fitting gown embellished with multi-sized clear crystals. The dress was a vision, with a high neck, a form-fitting silhouette, and crystals catching and refracting the light from all angles. It was a look of elegance and glamour, and Angela looked like a true star. I love how the dress hugged her figure in all the right places, accentuating her curves and creating a stunning silhouette. But the crystals made the dress shine, adding a touch of glamour to an already stylish look. With all those chunky crystals, I wonder how heavy the dress must have been. Angela Bassett embraces gilded glamour in a gold Dolce & Gabbana column gown heavily encrusted with multi-sized gemstones at the London premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Credit: Cat Morley / Future Image / Cover Images) Angela seems to have a thing for necklaces. But like her previous appearances, I don’t think this look needs one. Unfortunately, the Fope lariat necklace she wore blended in with the dress and did not provide enough contrast to the high neckline. She further accessorized with earrings, bracelets, and rings from Fope’s Aria, Eka, Essentials, Love Nest, and Panorama Lorena collections, each crafted in 18k yellow gold with white diamonds. The American actress paired her gold, gemstone-adorned dress with matching crystal-embellished pumps, featuring chunky platforms, towering heels, and peep-toes that revealed her nude pedicure. The dramatic heels not only amplified the glamour of her look but also gave Angela Bassett, who stands at 5ft 3½ (161.3 cm), a noticeable height boost, further enhancing her statuesque presence on the red carpet. Angela Bassett elevates her look with crystal-embellished gold platform pumps featuring chunky heels and peep toes that showcase her nude pedicure while adding serious height and sparkle (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages) While I appreciate a cohesive look, the combination of the heavily encrusted crystal dress and gold crystal shoes was a bit much. A sleek pair of strappy black sandals would have been a much more balanced choice, complementing the look without overwhelming the ensemble. Pom Klementieff – Effortless Elegance: Schiaparelli Draped Dress In the upcoming Mission: Impossible movie, Pom Klementieff plays Paris, a French assassin. At the Cannes Film Festival photocall for the film, the French actress radiated understated confidence and effortless springtime elegance in a beautifully tailored Schiaparelli Spring 2025 dress. The beige color looks stunning against Pom’s complexion, perfectly capturing the relaxed, summery mood of Cannes with its warm hue, reminiscent of the fine sands lining the beaches of the Croisette. The dress’s snug bodice molds perfectly to Klementieff’s torso, accentuating her frame, while the draped shoulder adds a hint of effortless romantic allure. It also comes with an asymmetrical ruffled skirt that cascades elegantly to the floor, adding volume while creating a beautiful fluid movement as she walks. I love how the beige dress serves as a minimalist backdrop for the stunning details, creating a sense of balance between simplicity and intricacy while adding a touch of understated sophistication. Pom Klementieff stuns in an effortlessly chic asymmetrical beige dress by Schiaparelli at the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Cannes photocall (Credit: Alberto Terenghi / IPA / INSTARimages) While Schiaparelli is known for its surrealist avant-garde aesthetic, Klementieff chose to keep her look understated, accessorizing with just a hammered gilded ear-shaped earring and a pair of silver measuring tape sandals. These metallic accessories are enough to bring some extravagance and sparkle without overpowering her overall look. Pom’s sandals are particularly intriguing. They are made of mirror metallic silver leather and feature contrasting gold-tone accents that resemble a tape measure, precisely what you’d expect from Schiaparelli. Their elaborate details are expertly done with a dash of whimsy, making them stand out against the dress’s muted hue. Pom Klementieff styles her beige dress with Schiaparelli’s signature whimsical flair, wearing silver open-toe sandals with gold accents resembling a tape measure (Credit: Alberto Terenghi / IPA / INSTARimages) Pom Klementieff – Rule-Breaking Glam: Loewe Gown & Platform Heels Pom Klementieff continued her sultry style streak at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Despite the recent ban on sheer nude and voluminous gowns, Pom managed to turn heads with her daring lilac dress straight from Loewe’s Fall 2025 collection. It featured an extremely low, navel-deep plunging neckline and two straps that created a daring cutout back, leaving many wondering why it wasn’t banned in the first place. Her decision to go braless added another layer of boldness to the ensemble, making it even more daring and attention-grabbing. The sultry design of the dress is balanced by the elegant drapery extending from the waist to the knees, adding volume and a sculptural element to the gown. The dress’s breeziness allowed Pom to move freely and effortlessly, capturing the carefree spirit of the Mediterranean. Pom Klementieff defies the Cannes Film Festival rule and dons a lilac Loewe plunging gown with front drapery and a cutout back (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages) Pom Klementieff paired her dramatic gown with Chopard jewelry that added just the right amount of sparkle and glamour to the overall look. Her dangling earrings added a touch of whimsy and fun, while her statement rings added just enough glitz to elevate the look without overwhelming it. I commend Pom for pairing her lilac dress with silver Gianvito Rossi sandals. The metallic silver leather contrasts beautifully with the lilac color of her gown, adding to the glam of the ensemble. They have a strap across the toes and slender straps around the ankle for security. They are finished with a thick platform and towering block heels that offer height and stability. Pom Klementieff teams her breezy lilac gown with mirror-metallic silver sandals with chunky platforms and block heels (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages) Pom Klementieff – Space-Age Sparkle: Paco Rabanne Chainmail Dress Despite the ban on sheer clothing at the Cannes Film Festival, Pom Klementieff still found a way to be daring and glamorous with her outfit choices. But upon seeing her look for the London premiere of the upcoming Mission: Impossible movie, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was holding back at Cannes. Pom’s most recent red-carpet look was one of her most daring outfits this week. The futuristic-looking silver chainmail dress, with strips of silver metal swaying through the rings, created a unique and eye-catching look. The dress appeared to be lined in see-through sheer fabric, revealing her braless form and giving a glimpse of her nude underwear. The dress’s sci-fi aesthetic is a breath of fresh air that embodies Paco Rabanne’s innovative spirit. The Spanish-born, naturalized French fashion designer drew inspiration from women as figures of sensual power, and this dress perfectly captures the essence of strong femininity with a tough, chic edge. Pom Klementieff dares to bare in a see-through chainmail mini dress by Paco Rabanne at the London premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages) I adore how she conveyed confidence and elegance while keeping the rest of her outfit simple. Her minimalist silver sandals and tiny studs completed her look’s futuristic, disco vibe! Her metallic silver leather Christian Louboutin “Rosalie” heels were the perfect complement to her futuristic ensemble, adding both shine and structure. Pom Klementieff dazzles as she pairs her silver chainmail dress with silver Christian Louboutin sandals (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages) The asymmetrical strap introduced a bold, edgy twist. At the same time, the slender stiletto heels not only elevated the sultry vibe but also gave Pom Klementieff, who stands at 5ft 6¾ (169.5 cm), an extra boost in height and confidence on the red carpet. A fan of the French shoe designer, a few years earlier, she showed off her sweaty feet in Christian Louboutin’s ‘Nosy’ pumps at the premiere of Disney and Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ in Los Angeles. Hannah Waddingham – Floral Fantasy: Elie Saab Dress & Bronze Heels Hannah Waddingham, who plays Admiral Neely in the movie, brought the glitz and glamour to the sunny French Riviera, shimmering in her Elie Saab sequined tulle dress for the latest Mission: Impossible Cannes photocall. The dress is made of lightweight tulle fabric, intricately embroidered with a unique pattern that gives it a unique, eye-catching texture. Up top is a flattering fitted bodice with internal boning for support and structure and a straight-across strapless neckline for a hint of classic flair. The midi-length skirt has an A-line silhouette, pleated at the waist to create a more voluminous effect. The silhouette is a classic, but the meticulously embroidered multicolored flowers with light-catching sequins take the look to the next level. The sequined flowers on the bodice and skirt sparkle in the sunlight, creating a beautiful and eye-catching display. It’s a chic and breezy choice for a warm summer’s day, perfectly exemplifying the style you see in the French Riviera. This Elie Saab dress is available for $8,550 at Net-a-Porter. Hannah Waddingham embodies the breezy charm of the French Riviera in an Elie Saab floral embroidered dress (Credit: Simone Comi / IPA / INSTARimages) I commend Hannah and her stylist James Yardley for the on-point styling! Her gold and diamond drop earrings, bracelet, and statement ring perfectly enhanced the glamour. And those strappy bronze heels were the perfect finishing touch to the look. It takes guts to deviate from classic heels, but Hannah made the right call here! The bronze color perfectly complements the dress, creating a chic look that is neither too flashy nor too understated. The strappy design strikes the perfect balance between edge and femininity. They’re finished with towering stiletto heels that elevate the glamour of the look. Though Hannah’s 5’11” height doesn’t quite need them, the stilettos add major drama to her style, making for a standout look. Hannah Waddingham pairs her floral embroidered dress with strappy bronze sandals featuring sculptural curved straps and gold buckle accents that add a touch of vintage glam (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) Hannah Waddingham – Soft Glamour: Pamella Roland Blush Gown Hannah Waddingham’s custom blush silk faille Pamella Roland column gown at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of the latest Mission: Impossible movie caught my eye. However, something about the design didn’t quite resonate with me. I wasn’t completely sold on the look. It was pretty, sure, with a structured strapless neckline, a cinched waist, and a column midi skirt accentuating her figure, but it lacked the wow factor one would expect for a Cannes red carpet. Hannah Waddingham highlights her figure in a pink ruched strapless dress by Pamella Roland at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of the latest Mission: Impossible movie (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) While it accentuated her form, the ruching wasn’t quite appealing. The overskirt with a sweeping train attached at the back seemed like an afterthought or an attempt to make the dress worthy of the Cannes red carpet. Hannah’s Saltanat Diamond Gallery jewelry somehow saved the look from being a complete failure. That diamond necklace is a standout piece, the thick diamond cuff added some serious glamour, and the rings were the perfect finishing touch to the outfit. Hannah Waddingham pairs her pink column dress with elegant blush pink pointed-toe pumps that mirror the gown’s soft hue and elongate her legs with their sleek silhouette (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Cover Images) Her blush pink Christian Louboutin pumps were a safe choice and went well with the dress. The pointed toe and matching blush color made the whole look more cohesive and elegant. But still, I wish she had chosen something a bit bolder. In April 2024, she also wore metallic gold Christian Louboutin slingback heel sandals to an event held in her honor at The SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center. Hannah Waddingham – Silver Screen Siren: Jenny Packham Sequins Hannah looked radiant in her silver Jenny Packham dress at the global premiere of the 2025 Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning movie in London. The plunging neckline, fitted bodice, and flowy skirt perfectly enhanced her figure. But despite the flattering silhouette, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that the dress was a little dated. Known for her portrayal of Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, she wore the “Luxor” dress, which featured a sleek, sculpted design with a plunging neckline and strategically placed silver sequins. These sequins give the dress a striking presence, elongating the frame and creating an enviable silhouette. The dress flares subtly at the hem for a comfy fit and falls into an ankle-length skirt. Hannah Waddingham sparkles in a silver sequined plunging dress by Jenny Packham at the London premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages) I love making the jewelry minimal, with just a pair of drop earrings and a few rings, to allow the dress to shine! Her blonde hair fashioned in retro side-parted curls was a great move, adding to the look’s vintage appeal. She finished the look with nude sandals—an undeniably versatile and classic choice. The neutral tone seamlessly blended with her skin tone, creating an elongating effect that made Hannah Waddingham’s already statuesque 5ft 11 (180.3 cm) frame appear even taller. Hannah Waddingham teams her silver sequin dress with minimalist nude open-toe sandals featuring a slim toe strap and barely-there design that elongates her legs (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages) While the nude heels flattered her figure and maintained a cohesive, clean silhouette, I would have loved to see a pair of open-toe silver sandals instead. A metallic option could have added an extra layer of glitz and complemented the dress’s shimmering sequins without overwhelming the overall elegance. Mission: Impossible Stars Step Into Style: Red Carpet Shoe Moments The “Mission: Impossible” franchise isn’t just known for its high-octane action sequences but also for its stars’ impeccable red carpet fashion. Let’s delve into some standout shoe moments from the series’ premieres: Pom Klementieff in Christian Louboutin Pumps at Tokyo Premiere Event: World Premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two” in Tokyo Outfit: Pom Klementieff turned heads in a daring Maison Margiela Spring 2018 Couture plastic-overlay dress. Footwear: She paired the avant-garde ensemble with classic white Christian Louboutin pumps, adding a touch of elegance to her bold look. Read more: Pom Klementieff’s striking red carpet appearance in Tokyo Rebecca Ferguson’s Hidden Heels Under Maison Natan Gown Event: New York Premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” Outfit: Rebecca Ferguson dazzled in a strapless embroidered ballgown from Maison Natan’s Fall/Winter 2023 Couture collection. Footwear: While her shoes remained concealed beneath the voluminous skirt, she wore heels to enhance her silhouette and complement the gown’s grandeur. See more: Rebecca Ferguson’s elegant ensemble at the NYC premiere Vanessa Kirby’s Nude Silk Schiaparelli Gown and Subtle Heels Event: New York Premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” Outfit: Vanessa Kirby captivated audiences in a slinky champagne slip dress from Schiaparelli’s Spring 2023 Haute Couture collection. Footwear: She completed her look with subtle heels that maintained the elegant flow of her ensemble. Discover more: Vanessa Kirby’s stunning appearance at the NYC premiere Hailey Baldwin’s Stuart Weitzman Gladiator Sandals Event: New York Premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” Outfit: Hailey Baldwin showcased a flirty off-shoulder mini “Kristelle” dress by Elizabeth and James. Footwear: She styled the ensemble with Stuart Weitzman “Legwrap” gladiator sandals in signature goosebump leather, adding an edgy flair. Explore her style: Hailey Baldwin’s red carpet appearance at the “Rogue Nation” premiere These red carpet moments highlight the impeccable fashion choices of the “Mission: Impossible” cast, blending cinematic flair with high-fashion elegance. Source link

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norajworld · 1 month ago

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hello-thefatlosshabit-blr · 1 year ago

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digitalmore · 1 month ago

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#IFTTT #Digital More

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finishinglinepress · 2 months ago

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FLP CHAPBOOK OF THE DAY: When the Cats Yawn by Kate McNairy

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Venture into When the Cats Yawn and you will find quiet fireworks: each poem flowers into whimsical shapes, expands ineffably and lingers long afterward. Their sense is like a finely tuned violin discovering this beautiful, terrible world. #nature #aging #life

Kate McNairy is a minimalist poet inspired by Emily Dickinson and William Carlos Williams, among others and she has published the chapbooks: June Bug, (2014), Light to Light (2016), and My Wolf (2021). Her poems have appeared in several journals including Third Wednesday, Raven’s Perch, Bluebird Word, Scarlet Dragonfly, and Local Gems. Kate was a featured poet at Café Lena and on the editorial board of The Apple Tree. Having B.A. and M.A. degrees from SUNY Albany, she has been a writing instructor at Adirondack Community College, Empire State College and has also been a freelance writer for several newspapers. Kate has also attended the NYS Writers Institute Summer Program at Skidmore, The Frost Place, and Tupelo. She lives with Jon in upstate New York.

PRAISE FOR When the Cats Yawn by Kate McNairy

Venture into When the Cats Yawn and you’ll encounter a collection of poems brimming with singular, vivid images of nature and domesticity, as startling as those in a painting by Magritte and Dali. Gently guiding us through life’s journey – from childhood to old age, solitude to intimacy, and the ordinary to the extraordinary – Kate McNairy infuses her work with a wry humor that leaves you both smiling and thoughtful. These poems resonate with authentic insight and genuine emotion. Perfect for fans of Kay Ryan and Emily Dickinson.

–Ellen White Rook, author of Suspended (Cathexis Northwest Press, 2023)

“Tiny and Taut, Kate McNairy’s poems are like quiet fireworks, each one flowers into its own surprising shapes and various colors, expands and lingers long afterwards.”

–Barbara Ungar. Author of After Naming the Animals and Save Our Ship.

Please share/please repost #flpauthor #preorder #AwesomeCoverArt #poetry #chapbook #read #poems #life #aging #nature

#poetry #flp authors #preorder #flp #poets on tumblr #american poets #chapbook #finishing line press #chapbooks #small press

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mysublimedestiny · 3 months ago

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Bathtub Market Growth Driven by Wellness Trends, Innovation, Urbanization, Rising Incomes, and Evolving Preferences

The global bathtub market is experiencing significant growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and broader economic trends. Valued at approximately USD 10.72 billion in 2023, the market is projected to reach USD 18.22 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.17%. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers:

1. Wellness and Self-Care Trends

A growing emphasis on wellness and self-care is significantly influencing modern bathroom designs. Homeowners are increasingly seeking spa-like experiences at home, leading to a surge in demand for luxurious bathtubs. Features such as hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and chromotherapy are becoming popular, transforming bathrooms into personal retreats. These features not only enhance comfort but also promote relaxation and stress relief, aligning with a rising global focus on mental and physical well-being.

2. Home Renovation and Aesthetic Preferences

The rise in home renovation projects, especially across North America and Europe, is a major driver of the bathtub market. With more homeowners prioritizing interior upgrades, bathrooms are often a central focus due to their functional and aesthetic value. Contemporary designs with clean lines, freestanding tubs, and minimalist finishes are increasingly in demand. Bathtubs are no longer viewed as basic fixtures but as statement pieces that contribute to the overall appeal of modern homes.

3. Expansion of the Hospitality Industry

Growth in the global hospitality sector, particularly in luxury hotels and resorts, is further boosting the demand for premium bathtubs. High-end accommodations often feature bathtubs as part of the luxurious guest experience. These establishments aim to offer a relaxing and indulgent environment, encouraging the installation of stylish and feature-rich bathtubs in suites and spa areas. As travel rebounds and tourism flourishes in many regions, this trend is expected to continue fueling market growth.

4. Technological Advancements and Smart Features

Innovation in bathtub technology is reshaping consumer expectations. Smart bathtubs equipped with voice-activated controls, self-cleaning mechanisms, LED lighting, temperature regulation, and water-saving features are gaining traction. These high-tech upgrades cater to convenience, hygiene, and eco-consciousness, making bathtubs more attractive to tech-savvy homeowners. The integration of smart home systems with bathroom fixtures adds further appeal, enhancing the overall value proposition.

5. Rising Disposable Income and Urbanization

Economic growth in emerging markets is leading to higher disposable incomes, allowing consumers to spend more on lifestyle-enhancing home products, including bathtubs. Rapid urbanization also plays a key role, as cities expand and housing demand increases. Newly built urban residences often incorporate modern bathrooms, which include bathtubs with sleek designs and added features. This is especially prevalent in Asia-Pacific regions where urban development is at its peak.

6. Material Innovation and Sustainability

Advancements in manufacturing materials have made bathtubs more accessible and durable. Lightweight and cost-effective materials like fiberglass, acrylic, and composite stone allow for versatile designs and easier installation. Additionally, manufacturers are focusing on sustainability by using recyclable materials and incorporating water-efficient designs. These eco-friendly features appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and align with global sustainability trends.

7. Government Initiatives and Promotional Programs

Government initiatives promoting hygiene, sanitation, and home improvement contribute indirectly to bathtub market growth. Subsidies, tax incentives, and public awareness campaigns focused on improving living standards have encouraged bathroom renovations in both urban and rural settings. In many regions, housing development projects backed by government funding also incorporate modern bathrooms, thereby increasing the demand for new bathtub installations.

8. E-commerce and Online Retail Growth

The rise of online retail has made bathtubs more accessible to a wider consumer base. E-commerce platforms offer a vast range of bathtub models, from basic to high-end luxury designs, often with competitive pricing and home delivery options. Customers can now browse product specifications, read reviews, and compare prices conveniently from their homes. This ease of access, combined with digital marketing strategies and virtual design tools, is helping boost bathtub sales across various price segments.

Conclusion

The bathtub market is being shaped by a confluence of factors, from wellness trends and technological innovation to economic development and lifestyle changes. As consumers increasingly prioritize relaxation, aesthetics, and smart home integration, the demand for modern, feature-rich bathtubs continues to grow. Manufacturers and retailers that align with these evolving preferences are poised to capitalize on this expanding market, which shows strong potential for sustained growth in the years ahead.

#bathtubmarket #bathtubmarketdrivers

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seonewsguy · 4 months ago

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Fast and Affordable: Building Speedy Websites on a Budget

If you’re reading this, you’re likely planning a new website or looking to enhance an existing one. You’ve probably heard that a one-second delay in page load time can reduce your conversion rates by 7%, according to a 2023 study by Google. Speed is crucial—nobody likes to wait. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a large budget to achieve a fast-loading site.

I’ve been dedicated to web performance for years, earning a certification from Google’s Web.dev program and collaborating with small businesses and startups. Let’s explore why a fast-loading website doesn’t have to be expensive. The secret? A cheap web designer or affordable web design services can deliver impressive results.

Dispelling the Myth: High Cost Doesn’t Equal High Speed

Let’s tackle a common misconception. Many believe that a speedy website requires a hefty budget—premium servers, expensive plugins, or a developer charging $200 an hour. While these can help, they’re not the full picture. A 2024 report from the Web Performance Working Group found that 80% of page load improvements come from basic optimization techniques—like compressing images or streamlining code—not costly overhauls. In other words, you can hire a cheap web designer and still achieve a site that loads in under two seconds.

Consider image optimization. Tools like TinyPNG and Squoosh (both free!) can reduce file sizes by 50-70% without noticeable quality loss. I’ve seen clients reduce load times from 10 seconds to 3 seconds simply by optimizing their JPEGs. No $5,000 server upgrade needed. So why do some overpay? Often, it’s due to a lack of awareness about shortcuts or being sold unnecessary deluxe packages.

The Budget-Friendly Toolkit for Speed

What’s in the toolkit of a savvy cheap web designer? Let’s break it down.

Efficient Code

Bloated code is like a cluttered closet—everything’s harder to find. A 2023 study from Stanford’s Computer Science department showed that minifying CSS and JavaScript—removing unnecessary spaces and comments—can cut load times by up to 20%. Free tools like UglifyJS or CSSNano can do this in minutes. Pair that with a lightweight framework (think WordPress with a minimalist theme), and you’re set. No need for a $10,000 custom build when cheap web design services can optimize existing resources.

Cost-Effective Hosting

You don’t need a dedicated server for speed. Shared hosting plans—like those from SiteGround or Bluehost—start at $5 a month and often include a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare for free. CDNs store copies of your site on servers worldwide, ensuring a fast experience for visitors in Tokyo or Texas. A 2024 analysis from Cloudflare showed that enabling a CDN reduces latency by 30% on average. That’s a significant win for minimal cost.

Effective Caching

Caching is like pre-making your morning coffee—it’s ready when you need it. Plugins like W3 Total Cache (free on WordPress) store static versions of your pages, reducing load times for repeat visitors. A 2024 study in the Journal of Web Engineering found that browser caching alone can boost speed by 25%. Why pay a fortune when a cheap web designer can implement this easily?

Understanding Costs: What Are You Really Paying For?

Let’s discuss the numbers. A custom site from a top-tier agency might set you back $10,000-$20,000, with ongoing maintenance fees. In contrast, cheap web design services might cost $500-$2,000 for a small business site. The pricier option might include extras like animated transitions or a bespoke CMS, but do they enhance speed? Not necessarily. Google’s Lighthouse tool, which measures site performance, focuses on load time, accessibility, and efficiency, not flashy extras. A lean site built by a cheap web designer can outperform a bloated luxury build any day.

The bottom line: speed isn’t just a technical issue—it’s about retaining users. A 2024 Nielsen Norman Group User Study found that 79% of users abandon a site if it takes longer than 4 seconds to load. That’s potential revenue lost, not a shiny design award. Investing in optimization rather than aesthetics often yields quicker returns. Think of it as choosing a reliable car over a gas-guzzling sports car—practicality wins over flashiness.

The Risks: When Affordable Isn’t Enough

Let’s address a common concern. Some worry that cheap web design services might cut corners—ignoring security patches or relying on outdated templates. This is a valid concern. A super-cheap $99 site from an unreliable freelancer might load quickly at first… until it crashes or gets hacked. But here’s the key: skill makes the difference. A reputable cheap web designer—someone with a portfolio and reviews—knows how to balance cost and quality. Look for those who prioritize speed from the start, not as an afterthought.

Another critique? “Cheap” might not scale. If you’re running a large e-commerce site with 10,000 daily visitors, you might need more robust solutions—like a VPS or premium hosting. But for small businesses, bloggers, or startups? Affordable options are sufficient. The trick is understanding your needs, not overspending out of fear.

Choosing the Right Affordable Expert

How do you avoid the unreliable ones? Simple: review their past work. Ask for speed test results—Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a free and reliable tool—from their previous projects. A 2024 U.S. Small Business Administration survey showed 65% of small business owners who chose cheap web design services were satisfied after checking the designer’s background first. Seek designers who mention tools like GTmetrix or discuss optimization in their proposals—they’re not just assembling templates.

Transparency is crucial. I’m not sharing affiliate links—just offering insights based on real-world experience and data. If a designer pushes premium add-ons without a clear explanation, be cautious. Speed doesn’t need a sales pitch; it needs results.

Conclusion: Achieving Speed Without Breaking the Bank

So, what’s the takeaway? Fast-loading websites aren’t a luxury for those with large budgets—they’re a choice. Lean code, smart hosting, and a few free tools can help you achieve speed without breaking the bank. A cheap web designer or cheap web design services can deliver a site that competes with the big players, provided they prioritize performance over aesthetics. The data supports this: optimization trumps overbuilding every time.

Remember: don’t overpay for speed you can achieve affordably. Evaluate your current site (or your envisioned one) using free tools like Lighthouse. If it’s sluggish, hire someone knowledgeable—cheap doesn’t mean low-quality. Your users will appreciate it, your wallet will remain healthy, and you’ll hit that two-second sweet spot. Speed isn’t about money—it’s about expertise. Ready to make it happen?

#cheap web design #cheap web designer

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